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End of Contract Saga: Chicago Bears and RB Matt Forte agree on long term deal

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End of Contract Saga: Chicago Bears and RB Matt Forte agree on long term deal
The contract saga involving Chicago Bears and running back, Matt Forte has come to an end as both parties finally agreed on a new four-year deal on deadline day.
Forte and the Bears were at loggerheads over a new deal for the majority of the offseason with the star running back holding out of both the organised training activities (OTAs) and mandatory minicamp.
With the new deal finally signed the running back is set to return for the training camp and will finally rejoin his teammates.
Forte was pleased that the deal was finally signed and said in a statement:
"I'm proud to be a Chicago Bear and excited to be here for another four years."
Adding further he said:
"I've been working hard this offseason and am looking forward to joining my teammates at training camp next week."
Both Forte’s representatives and the Bears had to come up with a deal by the July 16th deadline failing which the player would have been forced to sign the franchise tender Chicago Bears had placed on him in the offseason.
ESPN citing sources has revealed that the new deal is worth around $ 32 million with $ 17 million in guarantees.
This brings to an end another long running contract saga and now with Forte back in the line-up the Bears have finally removed all distractions heading into training camp.
Chicago Bears general manager Phil Emery was pleased that both the franchise and the player could come to an agreement on time and said:
"We're very pleased we were able to come to terms on a four-year extension with Matt. We're excited to get him on the field and continue working towards our goal of winning a championship."
The running back has been a consistent performer throughout his time with Chicago and was impressive in 2011 as well before he succumbed to injury in Week 13.
Chicago missed out on the playoffs last season with a poor 8-8 regular season record.
This year the team has added great talent to boost its offensive line-up and the return of Matt Forte will help the franchise challenge for a playoff spot again this year.